The national left-handed stellar, who played an implausible Euroleague rookie season, finds himself in the midst of a media crisis with his organization. One he indented to completely avoid. However, after the harsh and offensive comments thrown his way yesterday by Maccabi owner David Federman - Ohayon fires back with his personal truth in an exclusive interview with Eurobasket.

"I'm not going to comment on the legal side, but it's important for me that people know I never asked to leave Maccabi and everything I've done thus far has been in good faith," said Ohayon via email from the U.S. "On the contrary. I asked Maccabi to open my contract and extended it to four years. What they (Maccabi) are saying I demanded is wrong and they went to the media despite us agreeing to keep things behind closed doors," added the sorrowful player.

What were the exact contract condition you asked of Maccabi?

"I asked Maccabi to compensate me with approximately the same salaries as Guy Pnini and Tal Burstein, which is financially average level. In terms of raises? I asked for a miniature $50,000 raise each year for the next three or four season," said Ohayon.

The 25-year-old baller is entertaining interest from several Euroleague powerhouses from Russia, Greece and Spain. That said, I understand Maccabi was willing to increase your salary to roughly $230,000 for the upcoming season, consequently, the lowest paid Israeli on the roster.

"It's impossible for Maccabi to personally tell me how valuable I am to their franchise and how much they appreciate me and say that I'm a fan favorite, and then low-ball me to $230,000," Ohayon commented.

Ohayon, who is incorrectly portrayed by the media as a capitalistic gold digger, is furious with how he's being misrepresented. "Maccabi allowed me to showcase my talents on the highest levels in Europe. Still, I've proven I'm worthy of playing in the Euroleague and I think that asking for an average Euroleague salary - in addition to wanting to extend my contract with Maccabi indicates that my intentions are to stay with them for all long time," added Ohayon.

David Federman recently accused Ohayon with inconsiderate charges, claiming Maccabi rarely signs players to a one-and-done deal, and that they have no intentions to release him.

"Maccabi built a false image of what things really are and claimed to have taken a risk when signing me last season," uttered Ohayon.

"Maccabi rarely takes chances. They signed me for three years and included a team out clause at the end of every season for a bare minimum of $20,000. On the other hand, in order for me to terminate our agreement, I have to pay $200,000. You tell me - where's the risk?" Ohayon concluded.

After Ohayon cleared up the situation, his agent Iman Shokuohizadeh, refused to partake in the media frenzy created by Maccabi and wasn't interested in commenting.

Artzit newcomer Hapoel Maboim / Merchavim inked 24-year old American guard Evan Conti (190-94kg-93, college: Quinnipiac). He spent his 2-year professional career in Israel. He is not a newcomer in Israeli League as he played most recently at Hapoel Migdal Haemek in the National League. The previous (15-16) season Conti played at Hapoel Beer Sheva (also in National League) where in 21 games he averaged 4.1ppg and 1.7rpg. Conti's team made it to the MAAC Tournament Semifinals in 2014. He g... [read more]

Artzit newcomer Hapoel Maboim / Merchavim inked 24-year old American guard Evan Conti (190-94kg-93, college: Quinnipiac). He spent his 2-year professional career in Israel. He is not a newcomer in Israeli League as he played most recently at Hapoel Migdal Haemek in the National League. The previous (15-16) season Conti played at Hapoel Beer Sheva (also in National League) where in 21 games he averaged 4.1ppg and 1.7rpg. Conti's team made it to the MAAC Tournament Semifinals in 2014.He graduated from Quinnipiac College in 2015 and it will be his third season in pro basketball.

Baskonia - Hapoel Jerusalem 97:75 Baskonia celebrated Trofeo Alava-Araba title. They beat Hapoel Jerusalem in Vitoria. Marcelinho Huertas (191-PG-83) nailed 20 points and dished out 10 assists to lead the charge. Baskonia sank 24 points in the first period to take a 2-point lead. They stretched the margin at 4-point mark at the big break. Baskonia dominated in the third quarter. They ensured a 9-point lead at the final break. The hosts unleashed 28 points in the fourth quarter to seal t... [read more]

Baskonia - Hapoel Jerusalem 97:75

Baskonia celebrated Trofeo Alava-Araba title. They beat Hapoel Jerusalem in Vitoria. Marcelinho Huertas (191-PG-83) nailed 20 points and dished out 10 assists to lead the charge. Baskonia sank 24 points in the first period to take a 2-point lead. They stretched the margin at 4-point mark at the big break. Baskonia dominated in the third quarter. They ensured a 9-point lead at the final break. The hosts unleashed 28 points in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Janis Timma (201-F-92) delivered 16 points, while Vincent Poirier (210-F/C-93) added 14 points in the victory. Curtis Jerrells (185-PG-87, college: Baylor) answered with 18 points for Hapoel Jerusalem. Jerome Dyson (191-SG-87, college: Connecticut) had 16 points in the loss.

Maccabi Hunter Haifa (Winner League) is close to sign 28-year old Jamaican power forward Samardo Samuels (206-122kg-89, college: Louisville) who played last time at Betis Energia Plus Sevilla in Spain. Samuels ended the last season at New Basket Brindisi in Italian Serie A where in 7 games he had 7.9ppg and 4.6rpg. But the most of that year he spent at Jiangsu Dragons in Chinese CBA. In 22 games he recorded very impressive stats: 20.2ppg, 7.5rpg and 1.4apg. Samuels has tried to make it to... [read more]

Maccabi Hunter Haifa (Winner League) is close to sign 28-year old Jamaican power forward Samardo Samuels (206-122kg-89, college: Louisville) who played last time at Betis Energia Plus Sevilla in Spain. Samuels ended the last season at New Basket Brindisi in Italian Serie A where in 7 games he had 7.9ppg and 4.6rpg. But the most of that year he spent at Jiangsu Dragons in Chinese CBA. In 22 games he recorded very impressive stats: 20.2ppg, 7.5rpg and 1.4apg.Samuels has tried to make it to the NBA and played in the NBA Pro Summer League in 2013.The list of the past achievements is quite long as among others he was voted Eurobasket.com All-Italian SerieA Center of the Year in 2015.Samuels also represented Jamaica at the Centrobasket in San Juan (Puerto Rico) five years ago. His team won Bronze and his stats at that event were 6 games: Score-4 (17.0ppg), 7.3rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 54.8%, FT: 79.1%.Samuels is quite experienced player. He has played in four different countries on three different continents (Europe, Asia and of course North America). Samuels has played previously professionally in NBA (Cleveland Cavaliers), Israel (Hapoel Jerusalem) and NBA G League (Erie Bay Hawks, Reno Bighorns and Canton Charge).He attended University of Louisville until 2010 and it is his eighth season as a professional player.

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